A massive Cranbourne Cup Day takes the spotlight in Victoria this Saturday, and the program looks like an absolute ripper from start to finish.
The Listed Cranbourne Cup headlines a quality meeting with a deep, even field ready to battle it out for local glory, while The Meteorite adds a burst of slot race excitement with some sharp sprinters set to clash.
It’s the perfect mix of speed, stamina, and spring racing theatre and with fine conditions on the radar, we’re set for a huge day at Cranbourne.
Here are my tips for every race on the card.
MADIYYA (3) will have plenty of eyes on her given she showed an abundance of potential in her first preparation and kicks off her second campaign here.
The Team Hayes-trained mare charged home over 1200m at Pakenham on debut to miss the win by just under a length before winning her next three races in impressive fashion.
She’s warmed up for this with two jump outs, with the most recent resulting in a nice win.
Luke Cartwright, who claims 2kg, can settle just off what looks like a decent speed.
Selections: 3-7-6-1
| 3. Madiyya (6) J: Luke Cartwright 60.5kg 2111xT: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
CAFFETTIERA (7) ran well for third on debut before improving significantly at her second start.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained filly sat outside the lead over 1200m at Mornington before dashing clear to win by a length.
It was a strong performance that suggested she has untapped ability, and she’ll strip fitter third-up.
The inside barrier is a big advantage and should see Craig Williams drive forward.
Selections: 7-3-1-8
| 7. Caffettiera (1) J: Craig Williams 54kg 31T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
HOT TOO GO (7) will appreciate the drop back to this grade after leading and giving a good sight over 2400m at Caulfield last start when finishing 1.2 lengths fourth.
The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding was very good two starts back in this class over 2040m at The Valley where he led all the way to salute by just under half a length.
He’s rock hard fit and Craig Williams who piloted him to victory is back in the saddle.
From the low draw, ‘Willo’ should be able to land on speed and give them something to catch.
Selections: 7-6-3-10
| 7. Hot Too Go (2) J: Craig Williams 59kg 23714T: Danny O’Brien |
KEEP YOUR COOL (1) will appreciate returning to this distance after being overhauled in the closing stages over a mile at Flemington last start when finishing 1.15 lengths third.
Two starts back, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare was held up over 1440m at Caulfield but hit the line hard once clear to finish just under a length second.
She has a very good record over this journey of two wins and three placings with her most recent win over 1400m coming just three starts ago.
There doesn’t look to be a great deal of speed in the race which should see Ethan Brown cross from the outside barrier and find a forward position, possibly even lead.
Selections: 1-5-7-4
| 1. Keep Your Cool (8) J: Ethan Brown 57kg 03123T: Ciaron Maher |
BIG SEXY (2) looks well placed dropping in class following a brave effort in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final last start.
The Maddie Raymond & Patrick Bell-trained gelding raced three-wide on speed over a mile at Flemington fought on to finish 1.75 lengths fourth to Guerite.
Two starts back he finished a length second to Guerite when storming home from the back over 1400m at Ballarat.
He’s at peak fitness and gets the services of gun jockey Ethan Brown.
Selections: 2-1-4-6
| 2. Big Sexy (5) J: Ethan Brown 58.5kg 6×124T: Maddie Raymond & Patrick Bell |
SHOCKLETZ (5) won well when resuming over a mile on the Hillside track where she charged along the fence to salute by 1.75 lengths.
The Ciaron Maher-trained mare didn’t have a lot of luck last start over 1800m at Flemington where she was blocked for runs on several occasions to finish 3.25 lengths fifth.
She’ll strip fitter third-up and will appreciate the rise in trip given she won over this distance at Flemington when having her third run back last preparation.
This is a drop in class and with a clear run home, she may prove hard to hold out.
Selections: 5-1-8-9
| 5. Shockletz (6) J: Ethan Brown 57.5kg 21×15T: Ciaron Maher |
NAVAL ACADEMY (2) is racing in great form with two wins from his past three starts.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding was particularly impressive last start over 1200m at Geelong where he led before finding plenty late to withstand the challenge of Stoli Bolli to win by a neck.
With Luke Cartwright’s claim, he meets Stoli Bolli at the same weight as last start.
He should kick up early from barrier 1 and lead or settle handy.
Selections: 2-3-1-8
| 2. Naval Academy (1) J: Luke Cartwright 60kg 22101T: Ciaron Maher |
SABAJ 15) went from strength-to-strength last preparation, winning three straight before finishing runner-up in stakes company.
Now with the Price & Kent Jnr stable, the son of Manhattan Rain resumed with an unlucky run in the Silver Eagle when held up badly but hit the line strongly once clear to finish 3.64 lengths sixth.
He kept his unbeaten second-up record last start when charging home from the tail to win by 1.75 lengths over a mile at Flemington.
Once again, he draws an outside barrier, but they should roll along in front which will allow him to hopefully run over the top of them.
Selections: 15-13-3-14
| 15. Sabaj (12) J: Beau Mertens 54kg 22×61T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |
ZOU SENSATION (5) is racing in a purple patch of form with four wins from his past seven starts and can give The Meteorite a massive shake.
The Corstens & Larkin-trained gelding gave a tremendous sight in the Group 2 Damien Oliver last start only to be run down late by Warnie to finish a half-length second.
While his recent racing has been over 1400m, he is no stranger to this distance having won five of 13 starts including the last time he faced 1200m which was first-up this preparation.
Ben Allen has a good association with the horse and will give him every chance with an on-pace ride from the good barrier.
Selections: 5-6-8-1
| 5. Zou Sensation (5) J: Ben Allen 58kg 14612T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
BIANCELLI (9) resumes here looking to keep her unbeaten record intact.
The Price & Kent Jnr-trained mare kicked off her career with back-to-back wins before being sent for a spell.
She returned for just the one run last preparation at Caulfield Heath which she won impressively.
Two jump outs, the most recent resulting in a win, will have her tuned up nicely for a first-up assault.
From a low draw, Beau Mertens will give her every chance with an on pace ride.
Selections: 9-13-5-2
| 9. Biancelli (3) J: Beau Mertens 57.5kg 11x1xT: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr |